Family Issues, Grief and Loss - General Emotion Focused Therapy

Family Issues, Grief and Loss - General

Family and Systemic Psychotherapy uses the close interpersonal relationships between family members to help one another. The key to dealing with family issues is to help couples, family members or siblings to explore difficult emotions and thoughts in a safe manner. It helps each member to understand and acknowledge one another's emotions and allow them to express it safely, and in an effective manner.

Family therapy has been shown to be effective for people of all ages who are experiencing family issues or problems in their key systems (relationships) with people with whom they are close. It helps to build relationships and boosts the strengths and self-esteem of everyone in the system. Your family might need intervention if members have substance abuse problems, violent outbursts, if the family experienced a trauma,  if a close family member died or if the family is not functioning at its normal capacity.

This type of therapy enables people to work with one another, instead of on one another and enables families to talk about issues that are causing distress without disrespecting emotions. Instead, it invites engagement of the family members in order to support recovery.

Therapists who address family issues use a range of different approaches to bring about the best results. While group therapy will probably take place once weekly, where the family will all meet with the therapist, individual sessions might be required too. This provides a great supplement to the  family therapy work and is an ideal place for individuals to express their personal family issues that are hard to discuss in front of everyone.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who does family counselling you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Grief is a natural part of dealing with the loss of a loved one, or a situation, or a way in which we see ourselves. Loss requires that we change the way things used to be and find a new way to restructure our lives accordingly. It's common for people to fear change, particularly if a part of us, or a person we loved deeply, is no longer there. It leaves a gap that has to be filled, but nothing can replace the person who has left us behind.

People deal with loss in many different ways, but the desired end result is the same - trying to piece together the puzzle to the best of our ability, without the missing piece. We also go through the various stages of grief at varying speeds and intensities. Dealing with all the emotions that form part of grief is what makes support so very important.

Time is of the essence during the grieving period, and something we sometimes tend to rush. That's why it's so useful to speak to a therapist who does grief counselling during this time.

A therapist will help you understand that what you are feeling is completely normal and even expected. Medical professionals are aware of the wide range of natural responses to grief and loss and are generally reluctant to diagnose mental illness while a person is in a period of bereavement. However, if depression is present, medication is likely to be prescribed.

Grief therapy will help you to accept the loss and be able to talk about it without breaking down. You will learn to identify and express your emotions regarding the loss and learn to make decisions without your loved one.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist does grief counselling to address your grief and loss you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Emotion Focused Therapy

Note:  Some practitioners practice Emotionally Focused Therapy rather than Emotional Focused therapy.  You will want to confirm that it is indeed Emotion Focused Therapy that the counsellor/psychologist practices.  

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

    • Online booking
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M.A., RCC
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M.A., RCC
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M.S.W., RSW
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M.S.W., RSW
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Spencer Copland

MCP, RCC
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Spencer Copland Therapy I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. My offices are located in Vancouver and I work with clients throughout BC.  ... Read more

Charene Cranston

M.Couns., RCC
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Carly Degenstein

M.A., RCC
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Sarah Delroy

M.A., RCC
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Karen Ergas

Ph.D., R.Psych
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Graham Haber

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
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Julia Hewko

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Hello, my name is Julia, and I am a Counsellor helping clients with a variety of challenges, such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, parenting support, postnatal mental health,... Read more

Jess Holtslander

M.S.W., RCC
    • Online booking
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Jeffrey Hoy

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
I am a therapist who wants to help you, in the way that works for you, and at the pace that works for you. I seek to create a safe, calm, and open place for you to explore what is really going on. I have lived a richly... Read more

Kev Kokoska

M.Ed., RCC
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Ronald Ma

Psy.D., R.Psych
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MCP, RCC
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Sara Place

M.A., RCC
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Amy Rappaport

M.S.W., RCC
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M.S.W., RSW
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Chelsea Stenner

M.A., RCC
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M.C., RCC
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Donna Vidas

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
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Ph.D., R.Psych
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MCP, RCC
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Emma Wilson

M.S.W., RCC
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M.C., RCC
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David Zhang

M.C., RCC
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JY Zhang

M.A., RMFT
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Judy Zhu

M.Ed., RCC
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